Investigating the effects of plasma-activated water on E. coli with the novel application of single-cell impedance flow cytometry

Researchers have utilized single-cell impedance flow cytometry (IFC) to examine how plasma-activated water (PAW) affects E. coli bacteria. This advanced technique, which measures the electrical properties of individual cells without labels, revealed significant changes in E. coli's dielectric properties after PAW exposure. Specifically, the study observed shifts in the impedance phase angle and a reduction in cell volume, indicating that PAW impacts multiple cellular layers simultaneously. The findings suggest that PAW's antibacterial mechanism is not limited to a single part of the E. coli cell.

This research demonstrates a novel, label-free method for understanding how plasma-activated water damages bacterial cells, which could lead to new sterilization techniques.